Closed circuit television camera

ABSTRACT

An integrated Closed Circuit Television (“CCD”) camera assembly is disclosed which is compact, weather resistant and tamper-proof. The camera assembly includes a housing base, a housing cover, a variable focal iris lens, a glass window, a CCD circuit board, an AC-to-DC converter circuit board, and a power input and a video output combined as a single cable. The components are attached to each other with a number of support rods which are inserted through each of the components and fastened with screws. The connection is sealed with o-rings, washers, a sponge and epoxy to protect the unit from moisture and dust. Tamper-proof screws are used to minimize the danger of human interference. A sun shield which is placed over the housing cover may also be used providing further protection from the elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Closed Circuit Television CCD(Charge-couple device) cameras. It is desirable to have a combined unitwhich includes a CCD camera, housing, and lens suitable for use invarious security monitoring applications. It is further desirable tohave a combined unit which readily permits surveillance of variousareas, both indoors and outdoors, and in all types of weatherconditions. Security cameras may be used to monitor stationary andmoving targets and are usually mounted out of reach of persons in thevicinity, but at the same time are normally exposed to view. It is anobject of the present invention to provide a camera unit which is easyto install, readily adjustable for different views, and easilymaintainable while being aesthetically-pleasing and not subject tovandalism.

Problems encountered with existing security cameras, their housing andmounting designs include that they a cumbersome to install, not durableand do not provide adequate protection from the weather. Many of thepresent security cameras are difficult and time-consuming to assembleand install.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedof camera, housing and lens assembly which may be easily and permanentlyassembled installed in a desired location for surveillance. It is afurther object of the present invention to readily adjustable for thedesired viewing area. It is further object of the present invention tobe weatherproof and vandal-resistant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention showing the assemblyof the components;

FIG. 2 is a prospective front view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the housing cover taken alongthe line A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the present invention shown as inits mounted position;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention whichexcludes the AC power circuit board.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention includes: a pre-assembled Closed CircuitTelevision CCD (camera), a housing base formed to receive support rods,a housing cover with glass window which is joined to the base with anvariable focal auto iris lens, a lens mount coupler for receiving thelens and attaching to the housing base, AC-to-DC converter (analog todigital voltage converter), mounted on a circuit board. There may alsobe circuit boards for the CCD components and the power circuitry. Thecircuit boards are joined with several support rods and fasteners, suchas screws, on one end and threaded openings to receive screws on theopposite end. The lens has a key stud which is received by a slot in thecoupler to prevent movement of the iris after installation. Thecomponents are protected by the complete housing with o-rings, washers,epoxy and a polyethylene sponge making a water-tight seal. The video andpower cable extends from the rear of the housing base and is insertedand extended through a bushing and nut mounted inside the housing basewhich seals the entry point. The housing cover is also secured withtamper-proof screws. A sun shield may be included and placed on theoutside of the housing base and cover to provide additional coverage ofthe housed camera from sun, rain and snow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The complete CCD camera assembly of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1 which includes: the housing base 14, the housing cover 28, thevariable focal auto iris lens 25, the housing cover window 29, CCDcircuit board 21, the power circuit board 16, the AC-DC converter board15 and the power input and video output cable 11. The camera assembly isgenerally elongated and compact. Each of the afore-mentioned componentsare assembled in a layered fashion and are designed to fit within eachother to minimize the size of the unit.

The housing cover 28 provides coverage of the CCD camera circuitry andlens. The housing cover 28 has a housing cover window 29 and anoverhanging lip 28A to protect the glass 33 and the variable focus iris25. The glass 33 permits the image to be viewed through the opening 29of the housing cover 28.

The components are attached to each other using a series of support rods17, 19, and 20 or “stand offs” which are formed in the preferredembodiment with a screw head on one end of each rod and threadedopenings on the opposite end of each rod. Referring to FIG. 1, thehousing base 14 is formed with bosses 14 a which receives bushing 13.Bushing 13 receives the cable 11 which includes the video output signaland the voltage input signal wire/cable. The housing base 14 furtherreceives the short support rods 19 formed with a screw head which fitinto threaded openings formed in long support rods 20.

The variable focal auto iris lens 25, preferably a Vari-Focal Auto IrisD-mount lens, is placed between, but is not affixed to, the long supportrods 20. The lens mount coupler 23 is formed with slot 24 to receive thekey stud 26 form on lens 25. The Vari-Focal Auto Iris D-mount lens isformed with a key stud 26 to fit within slot 24 of the lens mountcoupler 23.

The CCD lens holder 22 holds the lens 25 in place in front of the CCDcircuit board 21. The long supports 20 (preferably hexagonally shaped)thread into the short supports through the edge of the CCD circuit board21 and extend the distance of the lens 25 and the lens holder 22.

An o-ring seal 27 provides a water-resistance seal between the housingbase 14 and the housing cover 28. The housing cover 28 has protrudingalignment keys 29A that provide for proper alignment of the housingcover 28 with the housing base 14 as they are fitted into notches 10 onthe housing base 14. The glass 33 is sealed using a polyethylene sponge32 to provide a water-resistant front opening 29. The glass 33, thepolyethylene sponge 32 and the disc washer 31 are held in place by epoxyand tamper-proof screws 35 that extend through these layers and are heldin place by Teflon washers 30 and 34. Tamper-proof screws 35 may be TORXscrews. The tamper-proof screws 35 thread into the long support rods 20and when properly tightened, provide a water-resistance seal at theheads of the tamper-proof screws 35.

A standard wall mounting bracket 40 may be used to affix the integratedcamera assembly to any flat surface 39 as shown in FIG. 5. The bracketis inserted into threaded mounting holes 14B (FIG. 3) which allowvarious mounting/viewing angles for the camera assembly.

The power input and video output are combined in the cable 11 which isinserted in the housing base 14 and connects to power circuit board 16inside the housing base 14 as best seen in FIG. 3. A water-resistantentry and exit point for the cable 11 is provided by inserting the cableinto bushing 13 and secured by (preferably hexagonal) nut 12.

FIG. 6 shows a particularly compact embodiment of the present invention.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the DC voltage is supplied directlyto the camera and the AC to DC converter board is excluded. A shortenedhousing cover 44 is utilized to minimize the overall size of the cameraassembly. With continued reference to FIG. 6, the CCD board 21 is heldin place between short support rods 42 and long support rods 43. The CCDD-mount lens holder 22 enables the user to align the lens 25 andthereafter prevents further rotation by holding the Vari-Focal Auto IrisD-mount lens in place in front of the CCD circuit board 21. The CCDD-mount lens holder 22 is held in place by machine screws 18.

In another preferred embodiment, a sun shield 37 (FIG. 1) may be placedon the outside of the housing base 14 and the housing cover 28 toprovide additional protection from the elements. The sun shield 37 isheld in place with camera housing by self-clamping rails 38 located onthe inside walls of the sun shield.

1. An integrated camera apparatus, including a lens with front and rearends, said apparatus comprising: a housing cover; a housing baseconnected to said housing cover; support rods which are formed withfasteners on one end and formed to receive fasteners on its oppositeend, said rods removably attached to said housing base; an AC-to-DCconverter inserted into said housing base; a lens assembly including aniris, said assembly having a key stud for positioning said lens betweensaid housing cover and said housing base, said lens having openings toreceive said fasteners; and a lens mount coupler having a slot forreceiving the key stud of said lens assembly, wherein said support rodsjoin said housing base, said AC-to DC converter, said lens assembly andsaid cover into an integrated unit.
 2. The integreated camera apparatusof claim 1 wherein said lens iris is automatic.
 3. The integrated cameraapparatus of claim 1 wherein said lens iris is a D-mount type.
 4. Theintegrated camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein o-rings and polyethylenesponges are inserted between the housing cover and said lens assembly toprovide weather-tight sealing.
 5. The integrated camera apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the interior of said housing base is formed with abushing mounted on the interior and a power input signal and a videooutput signal combined in a single cable which is inserted into thebushing on one end of the cable and exits the housing base rear wall onthe opposite end of the cable.
 6. An integrated camera apparatus,including a lens with front and rear ends, said apparatus comprising: ahousing cover; a housing base connected to said housing cover; supportrods which are formed with fasteners on one end and formed to receivefasteners on its opposite end, said rods removably attached to saidhousing base; a plurality of circuit boards placed within said housingcover, said circuit boards having openings along its side to receivesaid fasteners; an AC-to-DC converter mounted on a first circuit board;a lens assembly including an iris, said assembly mounted on a secondcircuit board and having a key stud for positioning said lens betweensaid housing cover and said housing base, said lens having openings toreceive said fasteners; and a lens mount coupler having a slot forreceiving the key stud of said lens assembly, said coupler mounted onsaid second circuit board wherein said circuit boards have openings forreceiving said fasteners such that said fasteners join said housingbase, said circuit boards, said AC-to DC converter, said lens assembly,said lens mount coupler, and said housing cover into an integrated unit.7. The appartus of claim 6 further including a power circuit mounted ona third circuit board for providing electrical power to the apparatus.